Synchronizing database projects with partner projects

ABSTRACT

A solution authoring tool that includes an authoring environment that allows for the authoring of multiple projects of a solution including a database project that has a schema and a partner project that has a reference to the schema. When the database project is built and deployed, the database schema is made ready for runtime. When the partner project is built and deployed, the schema reference is provided within the partner software such that the partner software may interface with the database schema at runtime. To reduce or eliminate database schema drift at development time causing runtime errors at runtime, a model bus at least partially synchronizes changes made to the schema in the database project to the schema reference in the partner project, and vice versa.

BACKGROUND

Software applications, components and services may be authored using a management container that managers source code, data connections, and references. Such a container will be referred to hereinafter as a “project”. VISUAL STUDIO® uses such containers and calls such containers projects, but other mechanisms may also use projects in the broader sense of the word. A project is organized as part of a solution, which can contain multiple projects that interface with each other at development time. Each project may be built and deployed to form a corresponding application that interfaces with other applications (formulated by building and deploying the other projects in the solution) during runtime. For instance, in a two-tiered application, there might be a client application and a server application at runtime. At development time, the two-tiered solution may include the corresponding client project and the corresponding server project.

Many applications now involve some type of interaction with a database. Developers write applications that use data and the interface to this data is the database schema. In order to interact with the data, the application will typically contain a local, translated representation of the database's schema useful for application development. This representation is usually a textual representation. It is inevitable that the database's schema will change over time. This database schema change is termed herein “drift”. Because the schema is not typically represented as compilable code, the application project cannot help the developer detect when database schema drift occurs at development time. If the developer does not respond to this database schema drift, then the application will likely experience runtime errors. It can be quite difficult to resolve this misunderstanding of the database schema by the application project.

BRIEF SUMMARY

At least one embodiment described herein relates to a solution authoring tool that includes an authoring environment that allows for the authoring of multiple projects of a solution including a database project that has a schema and a partner project that has a reference to the schema. When the database project is built and deployed, the database schema is made ready for runtime. When the partner project is built and deployed, the schema reference is provided within the partner software such that the partner software may interface with the database schema at runtime.

To reduce or eliminate database schema drift at development time causing runtime errors at runtime, a model bus at least partially synchronizes changes made to the schema in the database project to the schema reference in the partner project, and potentially also at least partially synchronizes changes made to the schema reference in the partner project to the schema in the database project.

This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features can be obtained, a more particular description of various embodiments will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only sample embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of the scope of the invention, the embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example computing system that may be used to employ embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a solution authoring tool which may be formulated by a computing system such as the computing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a more simplified example of a single partner project interfacing with a database project through a model bus; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for facilitating development of a database solution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with embodiments described herein, a solution authoring tool is described that includes an authoring environment that allows for the authoring of multiple projects of a solution including a database project that has a schema and a partner project that has a reference to the schema. A model bus at least partially synchronizes the schema in the database project with the schema reference in the partner project, as either has changes. First, some introductory discussion regarding computing systems will be described with respect to FIG. 1. Then, the embodiments of the exposing the solution authoring tool will be described with respect to FIGS. 2 through 4.

First, introductory discussion regarding computing systems is described with respect to FIG. 1. Computing systems are now increasingly taking a wide variety of forms. Computing systems may, for example, be handheld devices, appliances, laptop computers, desktop computers, mainframes, distributed computing systems, or even devices that have not conventionally considered a computing system. In this description and in the claims, the term “computing system” is defined broadly as including any device or system (or combination thereof) that includes at least one physical and tangible processor, and a physical and tangible memory capable of having thereon computer-executable instructions that may be executed by the processor. The memory may take any form and may depend on the nature and form of the computing system. A computing system may be distributed over a network environment and may include multiple constituent computing systems. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in its most basic configuration, a computing system 100 typically includes at least one processing unit 102 and memory 104. The memory 104 may be physical system memory, which may be volatile, non-volatile, or some combination of the two. The term “memory” may also be used herein to refer to non-volatile mass storage such as physical storage media. If the computing system is distributed, the processing, memory and/or storage capability may be distributed as well. As used herein, the term “module” or “component” can refer to software objects or routines that execute on the computing system. The different components, modules, engines, and services described herein may be implemented as objects or processes that execute on the computing system (e.g., as separate threads).

In the description that follows, embodiments are described with reference to acts that are performed by one or more computing systems. If such acts are implemented in software, one or more processors of the associated computing system that performs the act direct the operation of the computing system in response to having executed computer-executable instructions. An example of such an operation involves the manipulation of data. The computer-executable instructions (and the manipulated data) may be stored in the memory 104 of the computing system 100. Computing system 100 may also contain communication channels 108 that allow the computing system 100 to communicate with other message processors over, for example, network 110. The computing system may also include a display 112 that may display information to a user.

Embodiments of the present invention may comprise or utilize a special purpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware, such as, for example, one or more processors and system memory, as discussed in greater detail below. Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer system. Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions are physical storage media. Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, embodiments of the invention can comprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: computer storage media and transmission media.

Computer storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

A “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable the transport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a transmission medium. Transmissions media can include a network and/or data links which can be used to carry or desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures can be transferred automatically from transmission media to computer storage media (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a “NIC”), and then eventually transferred to computer system RAM and/or to less volatile computer storage media at a computer system. Thus, it should be understood that computer storage media can be included in computer system components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmission media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which, when executed at a processor, cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the described features or acts described above. Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates a solution authoring tool 200 which may be formulated by a computing system such as the computing system 100 of FIG. 1. When implemented in software, the solution authoring tool 200 may be formulated by the computing system accessing a computer program product comprising one or more computer storage media that have thereon computer-executable instructions, and then executing the computer-executable instructions using one or more processors of the computing system.

A “project” is a logical container that contains source code, data connections and/or references. A solution constitutes a collection of projects that interface with each other at development time. The solution authoring environment 200 allows for the authoring of at least one of multiple projects of a solution of interacting projects. One of the benefits of organizing projects into solutions, however, is that the projects may each be authored by different individuals. Accordingly, there is no requirement the most or all of the projects are authored within the solution authoring environment 200.

The solution authoring environment includes a database project 210 and at least one partner project 211. There may be as few as a single partner project interfacing with the database project. However, in the illustrated embodiment, there are four partner projects 211 through 214 interfacing with the database project 210. The ellipses 215 represent that there may be any number (from as few as one, with no upper limit) of partner projects interfacing with the database project. For easier reference, the database project is abstractly represented as square-shaped, whereas each partner project is abstractly represented as a circular shape.

Each of the partner projects has a model bus endpoint through which changes are propagated between the partner project and the database project. For instance, model bus endpoint 221 intermediates between partner project 211 and database project 210, model bus endpoint 222 intermediates between partner project 212 and database project 210, model bus endpoint 223 intermediates between partner project 213 and database project 210, and model bus endpoint 224 intermediates between partner project 214 and database project 210. The ellipses 225 represent that there may other model bus endpoints as well for each of any additional partner project that is represented by ellipses 215.

Each model bus endpoint is configured to intermediate by propagating at least a portion of changes made to the schema in the database project to the schema reference in the corresponding partner project for that endpoint. Furthermore, each model bus endpoint is configured to intermediate by propagating at least a portion of changes made to the schema reference in the corresponding partner project to the schema in the database project. FIG. 3 illustrates a more simplified example of a single partner project 301 interfacing with a database project 302 through a model bus that includes a single model bus endpoint 310. As an example, the partner project 301 may be an example of the partner project 211 of FIG. 2, and the database project 302 may be an example of the database project 210 of FIG. 2. In that case, the model bus endpoint 310 may be an example of the model bus endpoint 221 of FIG. 2. Each of the model bus endpoints 221 through 224 may behave as described for the model bus endpoint 310 with respect to the corresponding partner projects 211 through 214. The model bus endpoints 221 through 224 may be endpoints in the same model bus, but the principles described herein are not limited to that. They could also be model bus endpoints corresponding to two or more model buses.

The database project 302 has a corresponding schema 312. Once the database project 302 is built, compiled and deployed, the schema would be the database schema with which partner components (such as applications) may interact. The partner project 301 has a corresponding schema reference 311. Once the partner project 301 is built, compiled and deployed, the schema reference 311 may be used to interface with the database schema.

During development time, the schema 312 of the database project 302 may change. The model bus endpoint 310 determines, for at least some of the changes made to the schema 312 in the database project 302, whether the change warrants propagation to the schema reference 311 in the partner project 301. In the illustrated embodiment, a data contract 322 specifies which schema changes are to be propagated to the schema reference 311 and/or how propagation is to occur. In other words, the data contract 322 specifies how to translate changes in the schema 312 to corresponding changes in the schema reference 311, where such changes result in a schema reference 311 and schema 312 that are compatible. In some cases, the changes to the schema reference 311 may be different than the changes to the schema 312 so as to maintain compatibility between the schema reference 311 and the schema 312.

Likewise during development time, the schema reference 311 of the partner project 301 may change. The model bus endpoint 310 may also determine, for at least some of the changes made to the schema reference 311 in the partner project 301, whether the change warrants propagation to the schema 312 of the database project 302. In the illustrated embodiment, a data contract 321 specifies which schema reference changes are to be propagated to the schema 312 and/or how propagation is to occur. In other words, the data contract 321 specifies how to translate changes in the schema reference 311 to corresponding changes in the schema 312, where such changes result in a schema reference 311 and schema 312 that are compatible. Once again, in some cases, the changes to the schema 312 may be different than the changes to the schema reference 311 so as to maintain compatibility between the schema reference 311 and the schema 312.

A bus configuration mechanism 330 may allow for an adjustment to the types of changes that are that are to be propagated and/or how changes to the schema or schema reference are translated to the other of the schema or schema reference. Referring back to FIG. 2, the changes propagated by the corresponding model bus endpoints 221 through 224 may differ depending on the nature of the partner project, the developer preference. Thus bus configuration mechanism 330 allows for appropriate customization of change propagation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 for facilitating development of a database solution. The method 400 will be described with respect to the environment 200 of FIG. 2, and with respect to the environment 300 of FIG. 3. The method 400 is initiated with the providing of an authoring environment (act 401). For instance, the authoring environment 200 of FIG. 2, or the authoring environment 300 of FIG. 3, may be provided. The authoring environment 200 may be used to develop the database project 210 and/or any one or more of the partner projects 211 through 214. Likewise, the authoring environment 300 may be used to develop the database project 302 and/or the partner project 301.

Then, as development occurs for the project (which could be a database project or a partner project) (act 402), one or more changes are encountered. As each change is detected to the schema of the database project (Yes decision block 411), then it is determined whether the change warrants propagation to the schema reference of the partner project (decision block 412). If a change is warranted (Yes in decision block 412), then the change to the schema is propagated to the schema reference (act 413). On the other hand, as each change is detected to the schema reference of the partner project (Yes decision block 421), then it is determined whether the change warrants propagation to the schema of the database project (decision block 422). If a change is warranted (Yes in decision block 422), then the change to the schema reference is propagated to the schema (act 423).

Thus, an effective mechanism for keeping database projects and partner projects consistent during solution development as the schema and schema reference change is described. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

1. A computer program product comprising one or more computer storage media having thereon computer-executable instructions that are structured such that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system, cause the computing system to formulate a solution authoring tool comprising: an authoring environment configured to allow for the authoring of at least one of multiple projects of a solution of interacting projects, the solution including at least a database project that has a schema and a partner project that has a reference to the schema; and a model bus that is configured to propagate at least a portion of changes made to the schema in the database project to the schema reference in the partner project.
 2. The computer program product in accordance with claim 1, wherein the model bus determines, for at least some of the changes made to the schema in the database project, whether the change warrants propagation to the schema reference in the partner project.
 3. The computer program product in accordance with claim 2, wherein a data contract specifies how to translate changes in the schema in the database project to corresponding changes in the schema reference in the partner project.
 4. The computer program product in accordance with claim 1, wherein a data contract determines which changes are to be propagated to the first schema reference.
 5. The computer program product in accordance with claim 1, wherein for at least one of the propagated changes, the change to the schema reference in the partner project involves a different action than the change to the schema in the database project.
 6. The computer program product in accordance with claim 1, wherein the model bus is bi-directional such that the model bus also propagates at least a portion of changes made to the schema reference in the partner project with changes made to the schema in the database project.
 7. The computer program product in accordance with claim 1, wherein the solution authoring tool further comprises: a bus configuration mechanism that allows the types of changes that are synchronized to be adjusted.
 8. The computer program product in accordance with claim 1, wherein the partner project is a first partner project, and the schema reference is a first schema reference, and wherein a first endpoint of the model bus propagates the at least a portion of changes made to the schema in the database project to the schema reference in the partner project, wherein the solution authoring tool further comprises: a second endpoint of the model bus that is configured to propagate at least a portion of changes made to the schema in the database project to a second reference to the schema in a second partner project.
 9. The computer program product in accordance with claim 8, wherein the changes that are propagated to the second schema reference are different than the changes that are propagated to the first schema reference.
 10. The computer program product in accordance with claim 8, wherein the solution authoring tool further comprises: a third endpoint of the model bus that is configured to propagate at least a portion of changes made to the schema in the database project to a third reference to the schema in a second partner project.
 11. A computer-implemented method for facilitating development of a database solution comprising: an act of providing an authoring environment; an act of facilitating development of at least one of multiple projects of a solution of interacting projects, the solution including at least a database project that has a schema and a partner project that has a reference to the schema; and as development occurs for the at least one project, an act of propagating at least a portion of changes made to the schema in the database project to the schema reference in the partner project.
 12. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the following as development occurs for at the least one project: for at least some of the changes made to the schema in the database project, determining whether the change warrants propagation to the schema reference in the partner project.
 13. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein a data contract specifies how to translate changes in the schema in the database project to corresponding changes in the schema reference in the partner project.
 14. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein a data contract determines which changes are to be propagated to the first schema reference.
 15. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein for at least one of the propagated changes, the change to the schema reference in the partner project involves a different action than the change to the schema in the database project.
 16. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the following as development occurs for the at least one project: an act of propagating at least a portion of changes made to the schema reference in the partner project with changes made to the schema in the database project.
 17. The method in accordance with claim 16, wherein the acts of propagating are performed by a model bus.
 18. The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the partner project is a first partner project, and the schema reference is a first schema reference, and wherein a first endpoint of the model bus propagates the at least a portion of changes made to the schema in the database project to the schema reference in the partner project, the method further comprising the following as development occurs for the at least one project: an act of propagating at least a portion of changes made to the schema in the database project to the schema reference in the second partner project through a second endpoint of the model bus; and an act of propagating at least a portion of changes made to the schema reference in the second partner project with changes made to the schema in the database project through the second endpoint of the model bus.
 19. The method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising: an act of providing a bus configuration mechanism that allows the types of changes that are synchronized to be adjusted.
 20. A computer program product comprising one or more computer storage media having thereon computer-executable instructions that are structured such that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system, cause the computing system to formulate a solution authoring tool comprising: an authoring environment configured to allow for the authoring of at least one of multiple projects of a solution of interacting projects, the solution including at least a database project that has a schema and a partner project that has a reference to the schema; and a bi-directional model bus that is configured to propagate at least a portion of changes made to the schema in the database project to the schema reference in the partner project, and at least a portion of changes made to the schema reference in the partner project to the schema in the database project. wherein the model bus determines, for at least some of the changes made to the schema in the database project, whether the change warrants propagation to the schema reference in the partner project, and determines, for at least some of the changes made to the schema reference in the partner project, whether the change warrants propagation to the schema of the database project, wherein a data contract specifies how to translate changes in the schema in the database project to corresponding changes in the schema reference in the partner project, and specifies which changes are to be propagated to the schema reference, wherein the data contract further specifies how to translate changes in the schema reference in the partner project to corresponding changes in the schema in the database project, and specifies which changes are to be propagated to the database project. 